Remote control system



Jan. 29, 1935. Q PLECHL 1,989,496

REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Aug. 28, 1929 m I j Infventors 0H0 Plechl Attorney Patented Jan. 29, 1935 PATENT OFFICE REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM Otto Plechl, Pfaffstatten, Austria, assignor to Aktiengesellschaft Brown Boveri & Cie., Baden, Switzerland, a joint-stock company of Switzerland Application August 28, 1929, Serial No. 389,021 In Austria August 28, 1928 4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in control systems for electrical apparatus and particularly to the controlling of apparatus or the transmitting of signals from a central station located at a distance from the apparatus or station to be controlled.

- When the controlling station or transmitter of a system for the remote supervision and control of electrical apparatus is provided with signals to indicate that the apparatus to be controlled has been connected and disconnected, or that a change has taken place in the connections of the apparatus, it has been necessary, heretofore, to provide at least two switches in the transmitter for each piece of apparatus to be controlled. One of the switches was generally utilized to initiate operation of the apparatus and the other switch was required to confirm any change in the connections of the apparatus when such change was not produced by operation of the first switch. Each of the several switches was required to give two indications which merely complicated the operation of such system and increased the possibility of confusion and of improper connections.

It is, accordingly, among the objects of the present invention to provide a remote control system for electrical apparatus in which a single switch is utilized for both operating and for securing a positive indication of the proper operation of the apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control or signalling system in which connections of the apparatus to be con- P trolled other than by movement of the transmitter switch will automatically complete a circuit whereby a positive indication of such action will be given in the control station.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby different signals are transmitted to the control station responsive to difierent failure or abnormal conditions in the receiver.

Objects and advantages, other than those above set forth, will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the drawing, in which Figure l diagrammatically illustrates one embodiment of the present invention showing the system arranged to control a circuit breaker in a system exterior to the signalling system.

Fig. 2 illustrates a modification of the present invention in which a plurality of relays operate a circuit in an independent system in response to electrical impulses transmitted thereto from the transmitter, and

Fig. 3 is a further modification showing a single audible signalling device arranged to be operated by a plurality of pieces of apparatus to indicate an undesired change of the connections of such apparatus.

Referring more particularly to the drawing by characters of reference, reference numerals 4, 5 respectively, generally indicate a controlling station or transmitter and a receiving station or apparatus hereinafter designated as the receiver. The transmitter 4 and the receiver 5 are connected by means of a trunk or transmission line generally indicated at 7, herein shown as having six or more conductors, over which the electrical impulses for signalling the condition of, or for initiating the operation of, the apparatus to be controlled are transmitted. It. will be understood that only so much of the system embodying the invention has been illustrated and will be hereinafter described as is necessary to set forth the invention in a clear and precise manner.

The transmitter 4 includes a current source 8 connected with trunk line 7g to which a plurality of different visible signalling devices, such as lamps 11, 12 and 13, are also connected. The lamps form a portion of the connections of a three pole, double throw switch 14, the other poles of which are connected with others of the trunk lines as will be apparent. An audible signalling device 16 is also arranged in the transmitter and is connected with the trunk lines for the purpose of giving an audible signal whenever a change of connections of the apparatus to be controlled takes place.

The receiver 5, as illustrated in the drawing, includes a circuit breaker 1'7 arranged to connect and disconnect an electric circuit partially shown at 18, in response to the application of current from the source 8 to either a circuit breaker closing coil 20 or a releasing coil 21 controlling a latch 22 for maintaining the circuit breaker 17 in open position as may be determined by actuation of the switch 14. The circuit breaker is also provided with contact members 23a, 23b arranged to make contact with one of several groups 25, and 24 of contacts upon movement of the circuit breaker.

Assuming that circuit breaker 17 is open, when the conditions in the circuit are normal, that is, when switch 14 is closed as shown in Fig. 1, a circuit is completed from the current source 8 over switch 14, line 7a, coil 20 and line U to the source. Coil 20 is accordingly supplied with current from the source 8 and the circuit breaker 1'7, is moved into position to close circuit 18. An indication that closing of circuit 18 has taken place is given by lamp 11 which is included in a circuit as follows from current source 8, through lamp 11, switch 14, line 7d, contact group 24, contact member 23b, line 7g to the source. It will be seen that the above'circuit is automatically closed when the circuit breaker 1'7, is drawn into position to close circuit 18 by coil 20 so that a positive indication is given that circuit breaker 1'7 has been moved to make the desired connection. If, for any reason whatever, circuit breaker 17 is opened to disconnect circuit 18, movement of the breaker 17 into the open position closes a circuit to signal lamp 12 from current source 3 over lamp l2, switch 14, line To, contact group 25, contact member 23?), and line '71 to the source 8; a circuit including audible signal 16 is also completed by opening of the circuit breaker 17 from current source 8 over switch 14, "line To, contact group 25, contact member 23a, line '78, and audible signal lfi'to the source 8. Lamp 12 a-ndihorn 16 both give a signal when any conditions occur in the system whereby circuit breaker 17 is opened while switch 14 is in the position indicated to complete the circuit for closing the circuit breaker. In this manner both a visible and audible signal are given of the abnormal conditions' so that the attendants attention is dive'rs'all of switch 14 into the dotted line position opens the circuit to closing coil 20 and completes acircuit from current source 8 over switch 14, line 71), opening coil 21, and line 7] to the source 8 so that coil 21 is energized sufiiciently to draw latch 22 out of contact with the circuit breaker 17 whereupon the same is opened by any suitable means. Opening of circuit breaker 17 automaticallybompletes a circuit from current source 8 through lamp 1-3, over switch 14, line 7c, contact "group 25,contact member 23b, and line 7f to the current source whereby a positive indication is automatically given that the circuit breaker 17 has been opened in response to the operation of switch 14, "If for any reason conditions occur in the circuit which, will cause'circuit breaker 1'7 to close, into the full line position as shown in the drawing, while switch llis in the dotted ,li'ne position, closing of the circuit breaker will complete a circuit from the current source 8 through lamp '12'over switch 14, line 7d, contact group24, contact member 231), and line 7 to the source. A second circuit is likewise automatically'closedupon movement of the circuit breaker '1'7into the closed position when the switch 14 is in the open position from current source 8 overswitch'l l, line 7b, contact group 24, contact member 23a, line 7e,'signa1 16 and line 7 to the source. It will be apparent from the above that,

either position of switch 14, a positive indication will be given upon the occurrence of any conditions "whereby circuit breaker 17 is moved to aposition differing from that corresponding to the indicated position or" switch 14. Such indio'ationwill distinguish between failureof the apparatus to operate and immediate returnafter "operation to the former position. For example, "movings'w-itch lei into the full line position, may fail tcc'ause afiow ofcurrent to coil 20, or circuit breaker 17 may be closed'on a short circuit whereupon the same will be reopened. It is desired, in 'th'e'first case 'toreceive an indication from lamp 12 only, "but, in the second case, both lamp l2 ands'ignal rows-1 'beoperated.

It is to be understood that, to prevent overheating of coils 20 and 21 and to allow operation of circuit breaker 17 by means other than the switches, coils 20 and 21 are deenergized shortly after each operation of the circuit breaker by well-known means as will be shown and described in relation to Figs. 2 and 23. -A plurality of relays 26 and 27 operating in common or tilting switches 28 and 29 and provided with contacts 31 and 32 may be utilized as means for distinguishing between the above described conditions. Such distinguishing devices are also useful to permit the construction of the control switch 14 for a very low current whereby space is economized and the construction of the switch is simplified.

, When the switch 14 is in the normal full line position in which position the circuit breaker 17 would normally be closed, a circuit is completed from source 8 over switch 14, line To, coil 26. En-

ergizing of coil '26 causes the same to raise'its armature thereby closing contacts 31 which complete a circuit from a source of current through coil 20 which then closes circuit breakerl'l; "The upward movement of the armature causes switch 29 to tilt to the position shown thereby interrupting the circuit including coil '26 and deenergizing coil 20.

Another circuit will also be completedthrough visibleindicator 11 from source 8 over switch 14, line 7d, contact group 24, contact member 23b and line 7g to the source 8. If the switch 14 is now reversed, that is, placed into the position indicated in doted lines in the drawing, a'circuit completed from current sources -8, over switch 1.4, line 719, coil 27, switch 28, and line '7g to the source. Coil 27 beingenergized closes contact 32 which then completes a circuit from the current source 36 through the coil 21 thereby causing :a release of the latch holding breaker 17 iii-position and permitting breaker 17 to be released to open circuit 18.

The upward movement of the'armature of relay 27 causes switch 29 to tilt from the position shown, thereby interrupting the circuit of coil 27 and deenergizing'coil 21; Another circuit is completed at the same time through visible indicator 12 from source 8, over switch 14, line-7c, contact group 25, contact member 23b and line 7g to the source 8.

When abnormal conditions occur in the signalling or supervising circuit such as conditions which would cause circuit breaker 17 to open'while switch 14 is. in'the full line position, a circuit will be completed from'current source 38 through lamp l2 overswitch 14, line 70, contact group 25, contact member 231), and line 79 :to the source -8. The lamp 12 will accordingly gi-vea failure indication thereby indicating to an attendant in-the transmitter that some abnormahcondition is presout; Another circuit is also completed from a source oicurrent 33 in the receiver over line 7 audible signalling device 16, line '76, switch 28,-contact group 5, contact member 23aand thesource If the conditions of the system are now considered'in which the switch 14 would be reversed into the position'indicated by the dotted lines and the circuit breaker would be=in thezposition tozclose circuit 13, a circuit will be completed from'current source 8 through lamp 12, over switch :14,

line 7d,:contact group 24, contact member 23hganol line'lg to the source. Anotherci-rcuitis completed from receiver current source 33 over line 711, in-

dicating device 16, line 7e, switch- 28, contact group 24 and contact member 23a to the current source 33 It will be understood that the above described connections represent the condition of the circuit some short period of time after the switch 14 has been brought into the full line position shown. If the circuit breaker 17 is now closed on short circuit, coil 20 being deenergized because the coil 26 of the relays has opened contact 31, the breaker 17 will again be allowed to trip without reversal of the switch 14.

When an attempt is made to close circuit breaker 17 on short circuit and the circuit breaker again trips for any reason, visible indicating device 12 and audible indicating device 16 operate. But if relay coil 26 or the connections therewith fail, lamp 12 only will be in lighted condition to indicate that the circuit breaker 17 has not been operated and that there has therefore been no undesired tripping thereof. But if lamp 12 is operated and the horn 16 sounds, a positive indication will be given that the circuit breaker 17 has operated and that the same has again been released or tripped.

It'is accordingly possible to distinguish between the above conditions of failure by the mere addition of the relay arrangement acting on common switches and separately controlling pairs of contacts to the coil 20 and 21 of the circuit breaker 17. The relays also deenergize coils 20 and 21; very shortly after being deenergized, by reversal of switch 14, so as to permit the operation of the circuit breaker.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 3 differs only from that shown in Fig. 2 in that a plurality of circuit breakers 17a, 17b, and 170 are shown operated by a plurality of relay circuit breaker controlling devices indicated at 28a, 28b, and 280, Only the single audible indicating device is, however, required for a plurality of pieces of apparatus to be controlled and is provided in the transmitter with a relay 40 controlled in operation by the opening and closing of contacts in connection with the circuit breakers 17a, 17b and 170. The portions of the system not shown in Fig. 3 will be understood to be of the general character shown in Fig. 2 and, therefore, do not require further illustration and description. It will be apparent that the present embodiment of the invention provides a remote control system in which positive operation of apparatus and positive return signalling of such operation is obtained by a single movement of but one switch and in which an indication is automatically given to the control station upon the occurrence of any abnormal conditions in the apparatus to be controlled.

A further important advantage of the modified form of the invention is the provision of means whereby different indications are automatically given in the control station upon improper connection of the apparatus to be controlled due to different conditions. The embodiment of the present invention may also be used in connection with systems having selector switches or any other means for transmitting signals, either simultaneously or in sequence, over a small number of conductors.

Although but a few embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various other embodiments are possible and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a system of the character described, in

combination, a circuit breaker having main and auxiliary contacts adjustable to and from one and another position in accordance with movement of said circuit breaker to and from circuit closing position, means operable to adjust said circuit breaker to circuit closing position, means operable to adjust said circuit breaker from circuit closing position, a plurality of indicators, and a source of energy for operating said means and said indicators, of means comprising a switch having main and auxiliary contacts adjustable to and from one and another position to selectively establish thereat the operative connection of said source of current with the first and second said means and with said indicators, the adjustment of the said switch to the one position thereof being operable to establish operative connection of said source of energy with the first said means, the adjustment of the said switch to the said another position thereof being operable to establish operative connection of said source of energy with the second said means, the co-joint adjustment of said contacts of the circuit breaker and said switch to the one position thereof being operable to establish operative connection of said source of energy with one of said indicators, the co-joint adjustment of said contacts of the circuit breaker and said switch to the said another position thereof being operable to establish operative connection of said source with a second one of said indicators, the co-joint adjustment of the said contacts of the circuit breaker to the said one position thereof and the said switch to the said another position thereof being operable to establish operative connection of said source of energy with a third one of said indicators, and the cojoint adjustment of the said contacts of the cir cuit breaker to the said another position thereof and the said switch to the said one position thereof being operable to establish operative connection of said source of energy with said third one of said indicators.

2. In a system of the character described comprising a translating device hating electromagnetic means operative to actuate said device to one position and electromagnetic means operative to control the actuation of the said device to another position, a source of electric current, a remotely located circuit controlling means movable into one position to effect operative connection of said source of current in circuit with the first said electromagnetic means to effect actuation of said device to the said one position thereof and movable into another position to effect operative connection of said source with the second said electromagnetic means to cause actuation of said device to the said another position thereof, and a plurality of indicators, of auxiliary means associated with said device movable into its alternative positions in accordance with actuations of said device, and auxiliary means associated with said circuit controlling means operable to alternative positions in accordance with actuations of the said circuit controlling means, the said auxiliary means being operative to effect operative connection of said source of current with one of said indicators upon actuation of said device and said circuit controlling means to the said one position to cause indicating actuation thereof and operative upon movement of said device to its said another position and movement of said circuit controlling means to said another position to effect operative conneotion of said source of current with another of said indicators to cause indicating actuation thereof, the respective said auxiliary means being operative to e'fie'ct operative connection of said source of current with a third of said indicators to cause indicating actuation thereof upon movement or said device tothe said one position and movement of said circuit controlling means to the said another position and also to cause indicating actuation thereof upon movement of said device to the said another position thereof and movement of said circuit control means to the said one position thereof.

3. In a system of the character described, in combination with a translating device having electromagnetic means operable to actuate said device to one position and electromagnetic means operable to control the actuation of said device to another position, a source of electric current, a remotely located circuit controlling means movable into one position to effect operative connection of said source of current with the first said electromagnetic means to eiTect actuation 'of said device to the said one positionthereoi and movable into another position to effect operative connection of said source with the second said electromagnetic means to cause actuation of said device to the said another position thereof, a plurality of visual indicators, and an audible indicator, of auxiliary means associated with said device movable into one or another position responsive to and in dependence upon movement of said device into its said one position and another position, and auxiliary means associated with said circuit controlling means movable into one or another position responsive to and in dependence upon movement of said circuit controlling means into its said one position and another position, the respective said auxiliary means being operable to effect operative connection of said source of current with one of said visual indicators upon actuation of said device to said one position and co-joint actuation of said circuit controlling means to its said one position to cause indicating actuation of said one of said indicators and operative upon movement of said device to its said another position and cojoint actuation of said circuit controlling means to its said another position to effect operative connection of said source of current with another of said visual indicators to cause indicating actuation thereof, the respective said auxiliary means being operative to effect operative consaid device operative to effect "operative connection of said source of current with said audible indicator to cause indicating actuation thereof upon movement of said device to its said another position and co-joint movement of said circuit controlling means to its said one position and also to cause indicating actuation of said audible indicator upon movement of said device to its saidene position and the co-"i'o'mt movement or said circuit controlling 'ineans'to its said another position.

4. In a system of the character described, in combination with a plurality of indicators and a source of energy therefor, 'of means comprising a plurality of devices each adjustable to and from one and another position and having elements operable to co-jointly control 'thereat the operative connection of said source of energy with said indicators, characterized by the fact that the co-joint adjustment of each of said devices to the said one position thereof actuate the said elements thereof to establish operative connection of said source of energy with one of said indicators, the co-joint adjustment of each of said devices to the said another position thereof actuate the said elements thereof to establish operative connection of said source of energy with a second one of said indicators, the co-joint adjustment of one of said devices to the said one position thereof and another of said devices to the said another position thereof actuate the said elements thereof to establish operative con-'- nection of said source of energy with a third one of said indicators, and the co-joint adjustment of the said one or said devices to the said another position thereof and the said another or said devices to the said one position thereof actuate the said elements thereof to establish operative connection of said source of energy with the said third one of said indicators.

- OTTO PLECI-IL. 

